62 replies to this topic

[KASTAUFFER]

I just acquired this group to a US Army Col. who was captured on Bataan while serving as the Adjutant General of Luzon Force during the fall of the Philippines.

He was captured on Bataan and was briefly held in a POW camp at Tarlac before being transported to Taiwan in late 1942. He was held in Taiwan until early 1945 and when then transported to Camp Hoten and Mukden Manchuria where he stayed until he was liberated in August 1945.

For his service in WWII on Bataan he was awarded the Legion of Merit.

This grouping is so unusual because he seemed to save EVERYTHING he had when he was liberated including his toothbrush.

He also served as the Camp Adjutant in both Taiwan and at Hoten and he saved a number of documents related to each camp.

I will let the photos tell his story.

Edited by KASTAUFFER, 06 June 2015 - 03:38 PM.

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1918 dated messkit used on Bataan and in the POW camps,

Edited by KASTAUFFER, 06 June 2015 - 04:40 PM.

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The engraving on the Mess Kit was done after he made Lt. Col in December 1941.

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This fork belonged to another Col who actually died on a Hellship in 1945. I'm not sure when Col. Halstead ended up with it,

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These are the dogtags he wore on Bataan. More about the chop later !

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A straw hat he wore as a POW. The Japanese characters say " American Lt. Col. "

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This is the cloth nametag he wore on his clothes while in Taiwan. It basically lists the barracks he was in. The Armband he wore as a camp leader in his role as Adjutant.

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These are SUPER rare posters the Japanese hung up at the POW camp at Tarlac after Bataan fell. One is in English , the other Tagalog .

Its amazing these survived.

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paperwork!

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This is a sad document.

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He kept this book while a POW. The Japanese characters on the upper part of the back cover is his rank and name.

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A book of basic Japanese translations.

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Not sure what this is

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POW mail he received in Taiwan

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Edited by KASTAUFFER, 06 June 2015 - 03:43 PM.

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[AZPhil]

Once again you have collected an amazing grouping that I know has been saved for histories sake.

 Congrats on this awesome grouping.

 Semper Fi

Phil

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Edited by KASTAUFFER, 06 June 2015 - 03:32 PM.